WA EPA rejects proposed Yeelirrie uranium mine

The Wongutha Traditional Owners have been fighting this project for over 40 years. Mining at Yeelirrie would destroy cultural heritage sites and would also have other cultural, social and environmental impacts. When the site was owned by BHP Billiton, the Wongutha people asked for guarantees that their land and animals would not be contaminated. They directed the Central Desert Native Title Service to no longer negotiate or discuss uranium mining with BHP in an act of opposition to any plans to mine uranium there.

Richard Evans, Koara elder and co-founder of the West Australian Nuclear Free Alliance, said:

"The EPA decision to protect subterranean fauna is a good decision and the right decision and we are happy with the outcome. But we believe the EPA has underestimated the risk to bush foods, public health and water and most importantly our cultural heritage and our community's opposition to the mine.

"I invite the Minister (who has never spoken to us before) to come and meet with us the Traditional Owners of Yeelirrie before making a decision about our country. No Minister has come to talk to us about that country.

"Yeelirrie is an important place in our culture, it is a dreaming site it important to us and other tribes around us. In the short time since WA was colonised there has been drastic changes to the ecosystem and the country. It's not just about protecting this country for us – but uranium threatens communities and country from the cradle to the grave, at home and overseas. This is our responsibility and we take that responsibility seriously. We have to leave this poison where it is."

Environmentalists' response

Environment groups including the Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) and the Australian Conservation Foundation welcomed the WA EPA's recommendation not to approve the proposed Yeelirrie uranium mine.

CCWA nuclear free campaigner Mia Pepper said: "This is an important decision that prioritises the survival of a number of different species and the health and wellbeing of the local community. CCWA's submission to the EPA identified the likely extinction of several species of underground fauna, known as stygofauna and troglofauna if the proposal were approved and it is pleasing to see the EPA has considered that evidence. The EPA recommendation has been met with great relief among pastoralists, Aboriginal communities and environment groups who continue to campaign against uranium mining in WA."

National environment groups have joined their state counterparts in welcoming the EPA's call. "We congratulate the EPA for making this important, clear and strongly evidence based recommendation," said the Australian Conservation Foundation's Dave Sweeney. "ACF expects and looks forward to the Environment Minister upholding the EPA's recommendation."

Cameco's response

The Cameco website states that "Cameco respects the findings of the EPA and acknowledges the complexity and uncertainty involved with assessing subterranean fauna."

Cameco Australia Managing Director Brian Reilly said: "Sampling and impact management for subterranean fauna at Yeelirrie is very complex and this is reflected in the EPA's findings. We believe that with further sampling and research, subterranean fauna can be appropriately managed at Yeelirrie and we will work with government agencies and stakeholders to find a way forward. More than 850 samples have been taken from the Yeelirrie project area, which has identified 73 species of stygofauna. Of these, eleven species are currently only known from the impact area."